The Filter for this Jap motor is so small in diameter (compare to the oil filter in compact S-series car). I actually need to buy a small-size filter wrench just for this....yuck!

Require a steady hand to refill fresh oil (or simply require a funnel). The fill-hole is so low and tiled to a clumsy angle.

Trivia:
Oil dip-stick is in Orange? color, and awkward to pull out without using both hands.
ATF dip-stick is in Yellow? color......how so-not intuitive.
On contrary: Dip-sticks in Saturn's S-series:
ATF is red, Motor oil is Yellow.

VUE also has Oil Monitor system:
The oil light no longer has English written "Change Oil Soon". It's an icon with a Wrench + Oil Cup.

To Reset the light after oil change, you need to FLOOR the gas padel 3 times within 5 seconds while the key is in RUN. (Must sure Motor is NOT running!)

I've varied between 4.5 and 5 quarts. I think it depends on how warm the oil is when you go to drain it (colder oil = more viscous -> requires more time to drain, I get impatient, say screw it, cap it up and fill 'er up). I put in 4.5 qts and top off until it reads full on level ground on the dipstick cold. I check the stick again after heating the engine up (first drive afterwards) and make sure it's not overfilled or leaking.

Also is the 5w20 synth or not synth? I'm bringing my own tonight My SM says dino but not sure if I believe him

I'm pretty sure the 5W20 from the factory is dino.
I'm using Mobil 1 5W30 summer and 0W30 winter changing twice a year with about 5000 miles between changes.
This is overkill but I've always been a Mobil fan.
Over on www.bobistheoilguy.com they seem to like the Ford Motorcraft 5W20 which is a synthetic blend you can get at WalMart for 1.42/quart.

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Originally posted by Qlara I have to mention that Mobil-1 now also has 0W-20 SuperSyn....the label has a big stamp saying it's specific for Ford & Honda motors.

5w-30 should work in this Honda motor, but I'd rather avoid any finger-pointing.

Got the M-1 0W-20 from Pepboys, just FYI.

Interestingly in Europe Honda specs 20W50 for their engines for operation above +10F - probably to stand up to autobahn conditions.
So the thin weights spec'd for the USA are primarily driven by CAFE fuel mileage.

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It just scares me to put 0w anything in an engine. Especially in these advance engines, friction is always going to be a problem. With dino oil, they need the low oil weight for fuel mileage, but synthetic is soo good now. Also, I believe Mobil 1 20w-50 flows @ -15 degrees F, so there is really no need to change summer\winter.

-Rick

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i prefer using synthetic blends. i have found in the past with my mustangs that pure synthetic gets really thin at higher temperatures, regardless of weight. i look at it like this: conventional for viscosity consistency, synthetic for start up protection.

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hmmmm Have you guys noticed that after you put all 5 qts in that the oil is really high on the dipstick? I just checked and my reading is up on the letters(rbg or something like that) on the dipstick. In other words over the full mark.

When I questioned where my 1/2 of bottle of oil was after the change the SM said that the Vues take all 5 qts...apparently not

So I imagine everyone who has put all 5 in should also be overfilled? Usually this is a bad bad thing but is there something diff with the 3.5 that will let you get away with it?

...2011 Chevrolet Silverado LT 4x4

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